Council tenant has rats and damp in walls

A single mother of four young children has hit out at the council’s housing department for putting her in a house that she says has rats in the walls.

Margaret Rooney (33) moved into the property in Kirkintilloch Road, Bishopbriggs last October and said everything was ok for the first few month.

But things started to deteriorate earlier this year.

Mrs Rooney whose children are 13, 12, 11 and five reckons the property is unfit to live in and has been in contact with the council over the last couple of weeks.

She said: “At first there was no problem, but the damp is now coming back because the bath is loose. The council sent out some workmen but they were Dumb and Dumber.”

Mrs Rooney now says she can hear scratching in the walls and believes there are rats in the wall cavities.

She added: “I want them to give me alternative accommodation, but they say they have no temporary place I can stay. I can’t sleep at night for the scratching.”

Thomas Glen, depute Chief Executive of Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets, said: “The council has been made aware of an issue at this property by the tenant which potentially may involve vermin in the wall cavities. Council officers have previously tried to gain access on a number of occasions. Once the

tenant allows Council officers access to the property the situation can be assessed and any actions identified to rectify the situation will be taken. The tenant will be kept fully informed.”